Former CHEC worker awarded $700K for injuries

A former labourer at the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been awarded more than $700,000 for general damages resulting from his personal injuries, loss and damage he sustained during the course of his employment, arising from the negligence of the construction company.

The ruling was handed down earlier this month by the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston.

In the particulars of his claim, Kilo Walton said that while carrying out his duties on August 27, 2015, at a road-construction project at Golden Grove, in St Ann, a brick from a pile broke in two and fell on his right foot.

After seeking medical attention, it was revealed that there were broken bones in his leg and a cast was applied to his foot.

The cast was removed three months later and he went to work for a different company. During this three-month period, however, Walton said he still experienced pain.

CHEC, in response, acknowledged that Walton was employed by the company, but failed to file a defence.

As a result, a judgment in default of the defence was entered.

Walton was awarded $737,043.34 for general damages with three per cent interest from the date of service of the claim form, May 5, 2017, to the date of judgment.